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Trip report: 4/19-4/21

 
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Apr Mon 23, 2007 9:50 am    Post subject: Trip report: 4/19-4/21 Reply with quote

By noon on Thursday the 19th, we were headed up the hill: two vehicles, 7 people. The weather showed a storm coming in; it was our plan to stay ahead of it. My husband R, drove my sister’s Honda CRV with the guys, my daughter (D) drove our Dodge with the gals. Grandma was up front with her, my sis and I chatted in the back. I’ve found that in-depth conversation, coupled with ignoring your surroundings, will create a time warp, getting you there in record time. However, by the time we hit 5000 feet, it was snowing, the Honda was not slowing down, as this lead car did not carry chains (late discovery), therefore daughter had to keep up, causing mom and auntie to gasp, offer advice and generally piss off D. Funny, Grandma was fine in the front seat with D, no worries. Well we made it fine, daughter a little ruffled, sister lectured on purchasing chains and in we went, about 2:30 PM to Fitz’s.

Now I’ve been concerned about the changes that might be taking place with the sale of Fitz’s. We won’t actually see anything until they take over, but usually, there are rumors, employee attitude adjustments, shift in remodel money, that take place around these sales. We saw some of these things, none good. We had three rooms, and each of us had maintenance up there at least once. Generally speaking, staff attitudes were fair, service was down, new faces were more prominent than usual, has some of the staff left already?

There was one constant unmistakable theme: losing. No one in our group won at Fitz, no one. We also didn’t see any winners around us this trip, and heard more than the usual loser grumbling on the elevator rides. On our second day, we all went to Cal Neva where the newbies could hook up their player’s card, for a $200 shot at some free play. Basically, sign up, and in one hour they’ll either give you back all losses (up to $200) or double winnings. It worked fine for everyone except Grandma. We explained the no lose situation, yet still she sat at a triple play video poker machine, and played 6 cents at the penny level. When it was time to gather the losses/wins, she was within $1.50, so she got nothing (they won’t do anything at that amount, must be at least $5). Everyone else got their free slot play, and came out even. Fun morning- little risk. However, they will not honor any other promotion on the day you do this, so no food/Budweiser comps. The guys went off to play Pai Gow, they quit even.

D and I pooled some money and team played some slots, visiting most of the downtown properties, we met everyone for dinner $5 up. Using my Fitz’s comp dollars, I bought everyone the crab/prime rib buffet, which has improved since last visit. Now we’re all back at Fitz, and again no one wins. We settle in near George’s singing, he’s so good, we do a slow bleed, rationalizing the losses with the entertainment.

The next morning, we all meet for breakfast, we’re all headed home today, some by plane, others by car. We only have a few hours left, it always goes so fast! D is playing blackjack, she’s a perky petite, pretty thing, who looks 16 and gets carded regularly (she’s 26). She’s only playing red, so is surprised when the dealer asks for her player’s card. He tells her that next time she comes to town, she won’t have to pay for a room. D asks surprised than cracks up when the dealer says, “Yeah, you can stay at my house.”

We drop off the flyers at the airport, and head over to Carson to play some free play at Fandango. This place just keeps growing. It’s pretty, loaded with all the newest slots, fair black jack limits and rules, pretty good cocktail service and has a great buffet. If you have a car, stop in here on the way to Tahoe. It’s about a ½ mile from the turn-off. Everyone wins here but me, but my losses are small. We continue to the lake, over to Zephr Cove, THE place to take out-of-towners to soak up the lake with a nice micro brew, while listening to some pleasant rock and roll, all outside on a nice patio. If the lake gets boring (never!), than turn your head to the right and watch the volley ball players, pretty entertaining. This is our last stop, we know better than to gamble at South Shore, besides it’s a Saturday and pretty busy. We use Pioneer Trail, a short cut through South Shore, dropping you off at Meyers. We pass a multitude of sleepy, old, neglected motels with vacancy signs glaring. Do these ever fill up? It’s Saturday night! None post a price. I remember in my newbie days, going from motel to motel, checking prices, all of them were near $100 a night, huh?! The nice hotels are charging only a little more than that! Are they still doing that? You know, it was only 4 PM, on a Saturday, none of us working the next day, had one of those little motels posted a $59 rate………

Next trip is Vegas for Memorial Day, found an incredible flight/room that we couldn’t pass up. Next Reno trip will be the Brew fest: Brews/Blues/BBQ, with a little gambling when it gets too hot. July 7th this year.
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Apr Mon 23, 2007 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting your trip report. Sounds like a great trip!

I am planning on doing that promotion that Cal Neva has on our next trip. Cant beat that. How much in cash back/play did you get re-imbursed? If you dont mind me asking. Wink
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Apr Mon 23, 2007 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, Grandma scored a big 0 (no losses or wins to speak of); one brother lost $20, got $20 freeplay, ran it threw for even; the other brother lost $82, received $82 in slot play, and ran it through for a $7 win. All-in-all a painless process, that took about 2 hours, and was free!

Play over the hour they allocate, it must be on casino time, because one brother used his watch, and was short 10 minutes, they sent him back because you have to play for the full hour, or the deal isn't valid.
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: Apr Mon 23, 2007 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good trip report Reno Lady, it sounds like you all had fun.
Interesting about the Fitz with sale looming and no one in your party winning anything. I do worry that we will lose our old favorite casino. They do have lots of problems with water pipes-heat etc.
Allison--we are going to Chinook Winds tomorrow for 2 nights. Ill let you know if they take all my money!!LOL Barb
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Apr Mon 23, 2007 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Barb,
When you guys go to the Chinook Winds where do you stay? Do you stay there or a different hotel? My wife loves the outlet mall there!
I hope you did well.
Dave
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Apr Tue 24, 2007 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Barb,
good luck at Chinook. They were pretty tight that last trip.

Are you staying at Chinooks Hotel?

Alison
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: Apr Tue 24, 2007 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Dave and Allison, we are leaving for Chinook Winds in an hour. We are staying at the Chinook Winds Hotel Casino for $69 a night. I do have enough points there to get over $100 cash back but wont cash it in yet
unless I go broke!!! Crying or Very sad If the weather s good we will probably go to the mall too. My favorite slots there are the quarter slots- poker slots and the penny slots(usually play $1.00.) J. plays craps and Keno. Barb
P.S. Jerry, I have missed your posts too. I hope good health will soon return to your wife and you Very Happy
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Apr Tue 24, 2007 8:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Be sure to let us know how your trip goes!

Have you stayed at Chinook before? The bottom floor rooms have doors that open up to the grass area facing the beach.
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: Apr Fri 27, 2007 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Allison, we had a great trip to Chinook Winds. The weather was just OK but nice enough for Jim to walk on the beach while I got ready for the day. We were on the second floor which we like as we leave the windows wide open to hear the ocean roar all night.
I won $500-$200 and $1,000 on the same quarter machine Laughing Laughing
I had fun on Mr. Cashman and Pompei and had a little luck on each.
No luck on poker machine (only played a little) We stayed 2 nights and I came home $1000 ahead. Jim came out about even playing craps and
roulette but lost at Keno. We had a really good time Very Happy Barb
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Apr Fri 27, 2007 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good for you Barb! Did they follow you out to the parking lot afterwards? Wink Glad to hear that you did so well. It is funny but I have such a hard time going in there when the ocean is so beautiful I usually feel guilty to be in a smokey Indian Casino! Hey you paid for your trip so that is the way to go. I think the real question is did you make it to Mo's for some clam chowder?! I went to Ocean Shores last weekend to go clam digging and there is NO comparison of the Oregon and WA coast. Never made it into the Quinalt Casino but I guess that is right on the Ocean as well.
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Apr Sat 28, 2007 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good For you Barb! I cant believe you actually won money. I did not realize they even had .25 machines there. Don't think i have ever seen them. Did you rack up alot of points on your card?
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: Apr Sat 28, 2007 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave, I didnt make it to Mo's or to the mall. I spent most of my time in the (not too smoky) casino Laughing The only one who followed me out was my husband(keeping a close eye on my money!!!! Wink
Allison, I have enough points now to collect $300 Laughing Laughing Barb
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Apr Sun 29, 2007 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow! Good for you for saving those points up. Every time i get up to 10,000 points, i cash out my $75.00. Probably becasue we are always loosing there! Confused
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Karen



Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 11
Location: portland

PostPosted: Apr Mon 30, 2007 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

alison wrote:
Wow! Good for you for saving those points up. Every time i get up to 10,000 points, i cash out my $75.00. Probably becasue we are always loosing there! Confused


I always cash out at 10,000 points too. How many do you need for a $100 and $300?. The last time I was there, about 2 months ago, I lost. The time before that, I came home about $500 ahead. Just like a lot of places. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

Karen
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: May Tue 01, 2007 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Karen, at Chinook winds you get $75 for every 10,000 points so to get $300 you need 40,000 points. Barb
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